If 2017 was a rough year for you, I’m hoping 2018 is much better and finds you in good health, good spirits and on the path to spiritual growth and abundance.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a short post about miracles on the Across The King’s River FB page. Can’t remember exactly what I said, but I basically said you should be open to miracles.

I truly believe this, but I know some folks will say it’s wishful thinking and others are already stressing about what 2018 will bring. OK. I get it. I’m an optimist, but I’m no fool.

… Sure, I know we’re up against major challenges in 2018. I’m not disputing that.

Just saying miracles also exist — not only do miracles happen, they happen far more often than you might think. So don’t go into 2018 assuming a miracle can’t happen for you or for someone you love.

I’ve witnessed many miracles in 2017 — in my own life and in the lives of others…

Last month, my friend Orisade Awodola, told a packed crowd in Seattle about a blessing she received. Orisade is an influential black psychologist. In fact, she has a Ph.D psychology.

And every year Orisade hosts an Ancestral Healing Conference which brings leading scholars, activists and artists from the African diaspora together to share insights that can help promote healing and unity in our communities.

I was blessed to be one of the featured speakers at this year’s conference in Seattle…

But anyway, the miracle Orisade shared is how a man that was previously homeless made a significant financial contribution to help fund this year’s conference. His generous investment helped make the 5th Annual Ancestral Healing Conference a huge success…

It was first class all the way. In the words of Orisade, the conference was “the cream of the crop.”

Alright, I know you’re probably sitting there wondering how a homeless man could help fund a major international conference. Great question and here’s the answer. It’s because he won a court case against his former employer and was awarded BIG money.

…So, I’m pleased to tell you he’s no longer homeless. In fact, by many standards, he’s a wealthy man now. His name is Victor, by the way, and he’s a man of unshakeable faith. He’s on a mission to touch and transform as many lives as possible.

Orisade’s story is a powerful testimony of what’s possible. I was moved when I heard her story and felt you would appreciate hearing it too. All of us can use an infusion of hope because most of what you read or hear in the news these days can send you in a deep depression.

Turns out Orisade and Victor first met several years ago. Even back then, when Victor was homeless, walking around in the streets with only a backpack, going from shelter to shelter, he saw something special in Orisade and vowed to support her vision when money came his way.

Here’s a tip for you as you navigate through the storms of 2018. Don’t rule out anything. Don’t rule out anyone. You have no idea who might be in your presence so try to not to judge others. Orisade says you “could be entertaining an angel” at any given moment, an angel that is determined and equipped to change your life for the better.

Trust me, I met an angel at the conference. My life has been transformed in many ways…

And here’s the other side of expecting a miracle. YOU can be a miracle for someone. YOU can be that angel. YOU can be that rock or light in someone’s life. I find this notion empowering and exciting. I’m accepting the challenge.

YOU can do this…

You don’t have to change the whole world but you definitely can change one person’s world. Victor says the highest calling is peace and love. “Don’t give up,” he says. “With faith, hope and love, you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

“There’s a future,” he adds, “and it’s bright.”

I like the way Victor thinks. I’m going down that road. You can choose to be empowered and inspired in 2018. It’s all up to you! What will you choose?

Would love to hear your thoughts and your plans for 2018 so hit reply and I’ll respond as soon as I can.

And if you’ve enjoyed this article, please sign up for my inspirational newsletters at the link below. Talk soon.

“How does one discover their purpose,” she asked. “Does your Spirit guide or teacher tell you? I wonder if I’ll ever know mine. I want to choose something that makes me feel happy or fulfilled. But I want it to be aligned with my life’s purpose,” she said.

As a spiritual advisor I hear this question fairly often. The search for purpose is universal and it’s one of the core themes of my upcoming documentary feature film, Across The King’s River.

For many, the search for purpose is elusive because the struggle to survive is so time-consuming and draining that it often leaves little time for addressing the needs of our spirit. Yet our souls long to be fed in a meaningful way.

I believe living a more purposeful life is attainable for each of us. Spirit did not send us to earth to drift aimlessly. Here are some tips for connecting to your purpose.

The clues to our purpose are often around us but it’s our responsibility to put the clues together. Ask yourself these questions: What are your hobbies? What causes are you drawn to? If money was not an issue, what would you spend most of your time doing? What problems are you good at solving? When do you feel most fulfilled? What kind of help do others come to you for? Who are your heroes and what do you admire about them?

What kind of jobs have you done in the past? Is there a connection between past jobs and what you’re doing for a living now? If so, what is the connection? Don’t assume there’s no connection. Thirty years ago I worked as a journalist. My skills as a writer helps me to fulfill my current path as a healer by enabling me to reach large audiences through my inspirational writing.

While someone can give you insight into your purpose, no one can tell you everything about it. Why? Because you’re not a cog in a machine, you’re a spirit with infinite potential. Your purpose can change over time depending on the needs of your ancestors and the universe. The spirit world is the employer, your purpose is the task or the mission the spirit world is asking you to fulfill.

Your family members can lead you closer to your purpose. Shortly after I met my wife, Stephanie, she helped me launch my career as a writer. I might not have considered it otherwise. My eldest son led me to my path as a healer. Pay attention to what members in your family are inspiring you to do, but also pay attention to issues family members are struggling with. Their struggles might lead you to your purpose.

Knowing your purpose does not necessarily make your life easier, but it does make it fulfilling. Though I have clarity about what I’ve been sent here to do, I face hardship and obstacles along the way just like everyone else. Malidoma Some, the great African shaman and author of the book “Of Water and The Spirit,” was kidnapped by Jesuit priests as a child and was taken away from his culture and people for many years. He had to go through that experience in order to fulfill his purpose. You have to go through certain tests to bring you closer to your purpose, too, and that’s precisely what your going through right now. Embrace it. Try to see it as a friend, instead of a foe.

Envision who you feel called to serve. What is his or her story? What keeps him or her up at night worrying? What is his/her deepest fear? How can you help? What will happen to him or her if you don’t do what you feel called to do? What will happen to YOU if allow your own fears or insecurities to get in the way of being of service and following your purpose? What steps are you taking on a daily basis to sharpen your skills? What legacy would you like to leave for others to follow?

I have so much to share with you, but I can’t say it all in one blog. I’ll be sharing more in a few weeks. In the meantime, I would love to hear your thoughts.

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…And there’s a lot of rubble left in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria that swept through the Caribbean last month, as well as from Hurricane Harvey that caused extensive damage and flooding in Texas.

I haven’t been home to the Virgin Islands yet, but thankfully Mom and the rest of my family are doing okay.

But the island, like many others, has been devastated…

For my people, climate change is not an intellectual debate. We see it.The evidence is in all the rubble staring back at us every single day.

“Our communities continue to get hit time and time again by climate catastrophe. We cannot choose between a Black Lives Matter protest and a climate justice forum because our survival depends on both of them,” she says.

I’ve only learned of Elizabeth’s work recently but she’s been fighting for environmental justice for more than 20 years. She’s challenging all of us to raise our fists and our voices.

“Our communities know another way. As people of African and indigenous ancestry, we come from societies and ways of life that protect and nurture Mother Earth. Now is the time to reconnect with our old ways. The knowledge is there – it is in our historical memory,” she says

I love what Elizabeth says about reconnecting to our old ways and how the knowledge we need is in our historical memory. It reminds me of something one of my mentors often said when he was teaching me the Ifa spiritual tradition. “When we break the rules of nature, nature breaks us,” he told me.

Professor Wande Ambimbola, a Yoruba scholar says: “To the ancient African mind, animals, plants and human beings were part of one large family. Planet earth is a very sacred place,” he adds. “She was not meant to be exploited as human beings have done for centuries.”

We have a lot of rethinking and rebuilding to do. Yes, we have a lot to learn from the indigenous world, but we also have a lot to learn from each other too. We’re all in this together, like it or not.

There’s something we can all do; we just need to find what that something is and we need to do it.

And we have a choice…

We can choose to see the current crisis as an opportunity, says my good friend, Maria Stiles, an artist and activist from St. Croix.

“Those of us who have been spared have a responsibility,” she says.”We have to restore balance and harmony with the earth. We need to wake up. If this is what it takes for us to look up and see the sky, then so be it.” says Maria.

“We have to plant more; we have to connect more. Times like these force us to realize how fragile we are, and how we’re totally at the mercy of the wind, the earth and the sea,” adds Maria.

Would love to hear your thoughts. Respond to this blog, and I’ll write you back as soon as I can. Would also love to hear what’s been on your mind lately.

Also, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter if you enjoyed reading this blog.

Meanwhile, back home in the Caribbean, we face the daunting task of rebuilding from the rubble left behind by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

On the island of St. Croix, where I’m from, we’re still trying to assess the damage. Thankfully, my Mom is safe, and as far as I know friends and family are safe as well.

But the financial and emotional strains will be with us for a long time.

The prime minister of Dominica described Hurricane Maria as “merciless” and left “mind boggling devastation” in her wake.

In Puerto Rico, the passage of Irma, then Maria, has left most of the population without electricity, drinking water or food. Many clinics and hospitals are closed. Like elsewhere in the Caribbean, many lives are at risk.

My Uncle Gerry was the first person to alert me when Hurricane Maria was on the way. He texted me over the weekend. “We are in a predicament,” he wrote. “Hurricane Maria formed in the Atlantic and might hit us.”

I haven’t spoken to Mom since the hurricane because with the exception of AT&T, there’s no cell phone or landline service. My Uncle assures me Mom is in good spirits despite the chaos.

In just two weeks, so many islands, economies and hearts have been devastated.

But we will rebuild. We have no choice. Hopefully, we will emerge stronger and wiser. Each crisis reminds us how much we need each other, how everything is interconnected, like it or not. And each crisis is a reminder that each moment is precious and must not be taken for granted.

These hurricanes, in their own way, are also telling us that global warming is a very real, very dangerous and must be seriously addressed. The earth is rebelling, and world leaders ought to take heed because too many poor people are paying the cost.

Many organizations are helping hurricane victims in various islands. Here’s a list of a few of them, but I’ve also included a link for victims of the recent 7.1 earthquake in Mexico.

Thank you in advance for your support. A donation of any amount can help save lives.

Just a little over one month ago, the nation’s attention was riveted on white supremacists marching through the streets of Charlottesville and President Trump’s unwillingness to condemn them.

And then Hurricane Irma suddenly appeared on the horizon this month with deadly 185 per hour winds that decimated several Caribbean Islands before creating even more damage in Florida.

….But wait, almost forgot to make mention of Hurricane Harvey’s unwelcome visit to Texas. At least 70 deaths so far. Forgive me. There’s so much mayhem to keep track of these days.

And right this minute, Hurricane Maria, another Category 5 super storm, is on the way…

…Is there no end to our trials?

Back home on St. Croix, Virgin Islands, and elsewhere throughout the Caribbean, we’re praying for the best but bracing for the worse. Just this morning, my sister and I were trying to decide whether Mom will be better off at a hurricane shelter or whether she’ll be safer at home. Who knows? Trying to predict the path of a hurricane is sometimes a bit like rolling a dice.

It’s been a rough year for my people. It’s been a rough year for many people.

How do you stay grounded when so many things, so many forces are beyond your control? There’s no simple answer. But I know this. While you do what you can to help others and your community, you must also make self-care a priority.

You can’t be of much help to anyone or any cause if you’re depleted emotionally and spiritually. Rest when you can, eat a sensible diet, and make sure you maintain some kind of spiritual practice.

I practice meditation and made sure I did twenty minutes of meditation this morning before I got on the phone to figure out what to do about Mom as Hurricane Maria storms through the Caribbean.

…And last Sunday I spent all day in the hills of Oakland working with local filmmakers on my film, Across The King’s River. I intend to keep things moving forward no matter what. I suggest you do too.

Knowing I can guide and inspire others during this daunting time warms my heart. There’s too much on the line. The struggle continues. Lots of rebuilding to do. And we must be vigilant. We all need each other.

Would love to know what’s most on your mind these days and how you’re coping with all the challenges. Be sure to comment on this post and I’ll respond as soon as I can.

May the ancestors continue to guide and protect you.

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I had an amazing experience with an 82-year-old healer in Jamaica recently…

She’s a most unusual healer; she puts her hands gently on your body as if you were about to receive a massage, but then she starts removing objects from your body.

…Things you wouldn’t think could possibly be in your body.

She placed her hands on me and gently removed two small chains from my right torso. Then, she removed a stone and two nails from my stomach. And yes, I saw them with my own eyes.

I wasn’t the only one…

Ten people came with me, and she removed objects from each of us: a spark plug from the head of my client’s son, tobacco from the chests of a couple from the USA, a stone from the left foot of my client and a padlock from the chest of a construction worker.

And I’m 100% certain she would remove an object from you if you’re ever blessed with the opportunity to meet her in person.

But how is this even possible? How could such objects be inside one’s body?

Not sure. In my case, she said I’d been the target of a spiritual attack. I don’t doubt this. Spiritual attacks are prevalent in African culture. But surely everyone that sees her cannot possibly be the victim of a spiritual attack. At least, I really don’t think so.

So how does one explain this?

Could it be that some of these objects come from the negativity or envy of others or from our own fears or negative thoughts? I don’t know, and the healer was way too busy to entertain any questions.

My experience taught me that there are dimensions to healing that modern science may never understand. And while I cannot explain the miracle I experienced, surely there are many things we can all do to improve our physical, mental and spiritual health.

And letting go of anger and others things that are clearly beyond your control is one of them.

You’ve got to work at letting go of other things you’re attached to that are clearly not healthy for you: a job you hate falls in this category. Are you working yourself to death? What about toxic relationships? Sorry, it’s time to cut some folks loose. Are you battling addictions? If so, how long has that been going on? How long will you allow it to go on?

What about blame? Are you blaming someone for where find yourself in life right now? If so, you’ve given your power away and it’s time to take it back. You DO have a say in your future. Claim it!

Finally, a commitment to a daily spiritual routine will help you immensely along with a good diet, adequate rest and regular exercise.

Healing isn’t an event, it’s an ongoing journey.

What are your thoughts and what are your plans for healing?

Would love to hear from you, so just respond to this email and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Until then, may the ancestors guide and protect you always.

Stay Blessed

James Weeks

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…And their plan might not be the same as the plan you have for yourself – it might be better.

That’s why it’s important to pay attention to patterns that have been showing up in your life lately because I’ll bet your ancestors or trying to tell you something or want to send you somewhere.

Recently, Spirit has been sending me to different islands. First Guadeloupe last December, then Hawaii earlier this month, and now I’m on my way to Jamaica.

I’ve never been to three islands back-to-back in such a short period of time…

And I’m 100% sure these trips were planned by my ancestors and I’m supposed to share my experiences on each island in my upcoming book Meditations Across The King’s River, which will be available this fall. My book is a collection of original uplifting affirmations and short, insightful essays of my spiritual journey.

The ancestors have a lot to say….

But they often need to change your environment to make you more receptive to their messages and healing energies. In Jamaica, my host will be taking me to Maroon Country. The Maroons were escaped slaves who fought for freedom and created their own communities.

There’s always something worth fighting for and living for, my friend. Decide what battles are worth it for you.

I’m not sure what messages and experiences await me in Jamaica. But I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.

In the meantime, I would love to hear what you’ve been up to or what you’ve been experiencing lately, so hit reply to this blog and I’ll respond as soon as I can.

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…So learn how to say no and mean it. Focus on what will bring the most value to you and stick with it.

That’s what I’m doing. I’m saying no to some things because I’m working on my book and my film, Across The King’s River. I’m still doing spiritual readings, however, so call or write if you need one.

James Weeks

My book, Meditations Across The King’s River, will be available by October. The book is a collection of my original spiritual affirmations, but it also includes short, insightful essays of my spiritual journey.

I dedicate a few hours each day to write and to reflect…

It’s not easy but I had to make a decision about what I wanted to achieve in 2017 and getting my book published was high on my list.

…I’m sharing this with you because I’m sure you have goals you would like to accomplish in 2017. If you don’t, it’s not too late to get on track and to set goals that you can hit in the upcoming months.

I’ll admit it took a while for me to get into the habit and rhythm of writing every day but I am so used to it now that it’s easier for me to write, than to not write. Once you set some healthy habits, things will improve for you. I’m making progress and you can too.

Here are some tips to help keep you on track regardless of what your goal is.

Set a target date for when you want to achieve it.
Set time aside each day or each week to work on it.
Get a mentor or an accountability buddy to keep you on track.
Minimizing all possible distractions while you work.
Plan the night before so that you can execute your plan the next day.Decide what you will say NO to in order to say YES to your goals.

I would love to hear what you plan to achieve in the next 6 months and how you plan to get there. Let me know by replying to this email and I’ll write you back as soon as I can.

But wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you and wishing you and your family good things in 2017.

Don’t know about about you, but I’m glad 2016 is behind us and I’m looking forward to the challenges of 2017.

Just got back from an amazing two week trip to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. Had a chance to work on my film, Across The King’s River and connected with some powerful souls and a culture that enriched me in many ways.

Hanging with my friend, Omitola

Grateful to my friend, Omitola, for inviting me there. Guadeloupe was a new beginning for me in many ways. I’ll be sharing some experiences I had very soon.

Hanging With Omitola

For now, I just want to encourage you to follow your inspiration in 2017. Don’t know what your plan is for the year but that’s my plan, and I’m sticking to it. I believe in the power of inspiration more than I ever did before; I also believe it is our sacred duty to follow it no matter the cost.

To say NO to inspiration is to say NO to happiness, NO to fulfillment, NO to peace of mind. Why not say YES? I firmly believe inspiration is right 99.99% of the time. We just have to follow through.

But keep this in mind…

Following inspiration does not mean things will work out the way you want them to work out nor does it mean it will work out in the time frame you have in mind. What I’ve learned is that inspiration is a seed you plant today, but sometimes that seed does not germinate until later. Sometimes years later!

Vicky Gaydu, My Director of Photography in Guadeloupe

There’s a purpose behind the inspiration that has come to you, but you’re not going to discover it if you give up to soon. Go the distance in 2017, my friend. You’ll be happy you did.

This is all for now, but I would love to hear what your plans are for 2017. Comment on this blog and I will respond as quickly as I can.

Until then, may the ancestors bless, guide and protect you and your family.

That’s what my friend and mentor, Willy, was explaining the other day. Lots of folks need help, he says, but not everyone wants help. You gotta know the difference.

Willy knows what he’s talking about. He used to be a drug addict…

It was bad. He even attempted suicide decades ago because it was the “brightest idea” he had at the time.

Fortunately, he reached out for help and got it, and he was humble enough to accept it. Then, he took massive action. “I was willing to work on my own rescue,” he says.

Photo: Shutterstock image

Looking at Willy’s beaming smile and self-confidence today you would never know the trouble he’s seen. Not only is Willy drug free, he’s a successful businessman and spiritual leader. He’s also a committed husband and father who does what he says he’ll do.

He shares his story bravely and openly with all who will listen because he wants others to have hope. No matter where you are in life, no matter how much you hurt, no matter how much you’ve lost, change is possible, Willy says. Your blessing might be right around the corner.

Willie is teaching me some kick-ass business strategies for 2017. But he’s also teaching me about life. I’m not the only one. He’s a mentor to tens of thousands.

Raised in the projects of Queens, NY, Willy is part Irish and part Puerto-Rican. His father was an alcoholic and regularly abused his Mom. The police visited their home often. Willy never made it to high school and was in his thirties before he read a book from cover to cover.